A knobkerrie/Molamu is a type of wooden club, said to have originated in southern and eastern Africa. It is mainly recognised by the knob at one end of the stick. The club serves multiple uses; a throwing weapon, traditional club, walking stick, cultural and status symbol are just some of them.
Different Cultures, Different Meaning
As mentioned before, A knobkerrie was used for many different reasons, depending on the tribe. For the Zulu people, this was called the Iwisa. They would use it primarily for ceremonies, a symbol of authority, throwing weapons and even as snuff (a form of tobacco) containers. On rare occassions it was used as a club. They have a fighting style which still exists today, known as Zulu Stick Fighting.
The Ndebele tribe made a variant of this called an induku. However, this one had the handle of a fighting axe, making it easier to fight with. In the Apartheid era in South Africa, they were used as a protestor’s weapon and sometimes, even the police would use them.
The British soldiers in World War 1 used trench clubs but used to call them Knobkerries, although they were not similar at all.
Sotho People’s Cultural Importance
The Sotho People, a population native to south Africa, gave special meaning to the knobkerrie or Molamu. Not only was it an important weapon of war during Mosheshe’s time, but it symbolises power and authority. It meant to break, rectify, judge and protect social injustice. The molamu also served as a tool of initiation into manhood, being passed down from one generation to another.
In the modern age, it serves mostly as a decoration to the house and to the outfits worn by the young men following their initiation.
Famous People and Knobkerries
Do not think that the Knobkerries is only a tool of the past! Nelson Mandela reportedly used to practise Zulu Stick Fighting when he was young. In the 2018 Marvel Movie Black Panther, the character M’Baku uses a knobkerrie as his weapon.
And you can join them as well because we have a zulu knobkerrie available in store! Until then, check out our other blog on the Magna Carta.